'10 CA QB Jesse Scroggins (USC Solid Verbal)

[NochNoch]

The biggest difference, in my mind, is that Jesse's option to USC is not even close to being the poor alternative in Oregon that BB considered.

The family influence for BB was to go to UM to play with his brother and that was coming from Mom, if I recall the saga correctly. Oregon would probably be equal to UF in this comparison.

 

[Montrell Hardy]

When did his parent go public. Show me the facts.

LOL You're kidding right?

 

[utmba93]

The family influence for BB was to go to UM to play with his brother and that was coming from Mom, if I recall the saga correctly. Oregon would probably be equal to UF in this comparison.

Good points. Oregon probably was the UF equivalent.

But I sensed that his brother was not all that happy at UM at the time, so it didn't seem like the same level of consistent family preference that Jesse is dealing with. Also, BB did not grow up a Canes fan, and Jesse has been a Trojans fan during an era in which they have been awesome. There are very strong emotional ties from Jesse and his family to USC.

Also, in my mind, BB didn't really have as strong of a contender as a second choice. In this case, even if he wasn't a USC fan, you can't really say that going there makes no sense.

In BB's case, we also had a strong upper hand on the position coach in Gran. We don't have that for Jesse, but neither do they. That's part of why I've said a strong QB coach could be the difference here. If CLK and Chaney convince him that he'll get that from Chaney or CLK, that could be the main selling point. I don't see how Reeves can improve that selling point, jmo.

 

[Montrell Hardy]

I have read way too many of these posts but alot of people are looking at this in a whole different light than I think JS is. Many people have begged and pleaded with this kid about how much they want him at UT. They have said numerous times how if he comes to UT he'll be a starter as a freshman and if he goes to USC or UF he's going to sit the bench for 2 or 3 years....

Let me say this JS is a competitor, plain and simple. I will gurantee you he's a kid who when someone says, "Man you'll sit behind Barkley for 3 years...." He's thinking "Screw you, I'm better than Barkley and I'm gonna prove it." All this mumbo jumbo BS many people keep spouting about him not being as good as Brantly or Barkley will light a fire in this kid to prove everyone wrong. Do I expect to sign with USC? YES! One reason its close to home and they're already a national power, second he wants to prove his doubters wrong, and thats where many Vol fans are...doubters that have helped fuel a fire in this kids a&&.

So don't blame Kiffin or Reaves, put some blame on yourself for telling this kid he's good enough for UT but not good enough for SC.

It doesn't matter what kind of fire it lights under his ass. He isn't going to beat out Barkley plain and simple and it is very likely USC, with their reputation will simply recruit over him the next 1-2 years. This year's QB class sucks as a whole compared to last year's class and the upcoming classes. Barkley was the best QB in the nation in a loaded QB class. Next year I'm sure USC will have their pick once again among the Elite QB's.

 

[Montrell Hardy]

But I sensed that his brother was not all that happy at UM at the time, so it didn't seem like the same level of consistent family preference that Jesse is dealing with..

This was a huge difference in Bryce's recruitment and Scroggins. USC had a parent solidly in their corner pushing for them. Bryce's family didn't push much at all for him to go to Miami as his brother wasn't happy at the time and the coaching situation was in turmoil.

 

[NochNoch]

This was a huge difference in Bryce's recruitment and Scroggins. USC had a parent solidly in their corner pushing for them. Bryce's family didn't push much at all for him to go to Miami as his brother wasn't happy at the time and the coaching situation was in turmoil.

I didn't mean to imply that I thought the situations were mirror images of each other, just thought the Oregon comparison in the original post I referenced was a little off. I do think Scroggins ends up at USC but I was definitely a bit surprised that BB didn't go to UM when I heard that mom was the one who was behind the Canes. I know his brother's situation was not ideal at the time (maybe still isn't) but I thought that may have been an even stronger reason for mom to want Bryce to end up there, improve the situation for everybody. I heard or read nothing to support that theory but it just seemed like the way a parent may have viewed the situation, complete speculation on my part.

 

[I_Hate_the_BCS]

It doesn't matter what kind of fire it lights under his ass. He isn't going to beat out Barkley plain and simple and it is very likely USC, with their reputation will simply recruit over him the next 1-2 years. This year's QB class sucks as a whole compared to last year's class and the upcoming classes. Barkley was the best QB in the nation in a loaded QB class. Next year I'm sure USC will have their pick once again among the Elite QB's.

Mr. Hardy you are probably 100% correct with what you posted BUT......Jesse Scroggins is not going to sign with SC unless he thinks he can beat out Barkley. All I was saying is he's a competitor and competitive people don't back down from challenges. Many UT fans have basically challenged this kid and I think it bites them in the ass when he picks SC

 

[utmba93]

This was a huge difference in Bryce's recruitment and Scroggins. USC had a parent solidly in their corner pushing for them. Bryce's family didn't push much at all for him to go to Miami as his brother wasn't happy at the time and the coaching situation was in turmoil.

That sounds right to me.

I also think SC is more logical for Jesse than the U was for Bryce.

Still, if it's all logic, we're fine. We just have to point out that Chaney and CLK, who have track records of success with getting QB's to the League, will be heavily involved coaching him to play his position. Reeves will be learning from them as well and will be better over time, but that doesn't sell the recruit this year.

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

Mr. Hardy you are probably 100% correct with what you posted BUT......Jesse Scroggins is not going to sign with SC unless he thinks he can beat out Barkley. All I was saying is he's a competitor and competitive people don't back down from challenges. Many UT fans have basically challenged this kid and I think it bites them in the ass when he picks SC

And I guarantee you that Carroll has filled his head with just that thought, and so has his dad and coach.

 

[matts42012]

Which is crazy. I wish PC would help his old coach out.

 

[utmba93]

And I guarantee you that Carroll has filled his head with just that thought, and so has his dad and coach.

And, if he's not the kind of guy who believes he can do it, he's not the guy we want.

That truth all sux, too, from our vantage point.

We need him to see the challenge that is rebuilding UT into the national contender we were. If Tee Martin was our QB coach, that vision would be easier to convey. He did it. And, with the reports of how Jesse bonded with Leak, I can't see how he wouldn't have bonded with Tee.

 

[utmba93]

Which is crazy. I wish PC would help his old coach out.

It must be the competitor in him.

Geez... talk about the right house-warming gift. This is it Pete! Helllloooooooo...k:

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

Which is crazy. I wish PC would help his old coach out.

I remember when I bowled against my dad, he wanted to kick my ass each time because he knew that unless I had that kick ass mentality myself that I wouldn't even be a good bowler. I ended up being a pretty good one before I gave it up.

Same thing with coaching, why help other guys out when your wanting to compete directly against them. Plus, with USC being in California, it's going to be hard as hell to go in their and start snagging top prospects until we start winning.

 

[mb1vol]

I think you are right about the winning thing. Right now we are an unknown as far as how we are going to play this year. If we play good against UCLA and win handily and play respectively at FL then recruits should start looking a little closer.

 

[thunder5]

I have read way too many of these posts but alot of people are looking at this in a whole different light than I think JS is. Many people have begged and pleaded with this kid about how much they want him at UT. They have said numerous times how if he comes to UT he'll be a starter as a freshman and if he goes to USC or UF he's going to sit the bench for 2 or 3 years....

Let me say this JS is a competitor, plain and simple. I will gurantee you he's a kid who when someone says, "Man you'll sit behind Barkley for 3 years...." He's thinking "Screw you, I'm better than Barkley and I'm gonna prove it." All this mumbo jumbo BS many people keep spouting about him not being as good as Brantly or Barkley will light a fire in this kid to prove everyone wrong. Do I expect to sign with USC? YES! One reason its close to home and they're already a national power, second he wants to prove his doubters wrong, and thats where many Vol fans are...doubters that have helped fuel a fire in this kids a&&.

So don't blame Kiffin or Reaves, put some blame on yourself for telling this kid he's good enough for UT but not good enough for SC.

I doubt very seriously that Scroggins has even heard of this board...

And even if he has I doubt very seriously that he will let what anyone posts on here factor into his decision

 

[GoVols2003]

I remember when I bowled against my dad, he wanted to kick my ass each time because he knew that unless I had that kick ass mentality myself that I wouldn't even be a good bowler. I ended up being a pretty good one before I gave it up.

Same thing with coaching, why help other guys out when your wanting to compete directly against them. Plus, with USC being in California, it's going to be hard as hell to go in their and start snagging top prospects until we start winning.

+1

When to coaches are going head to head in a game or recruiting, they are not going to be worried about helping the other out. Why would PC want to just let JS get away? Sure they are loaded with talent, but the talent in front of him could always falter whether it be through play or injury. Also, PC does not want LK to come in and start getting big fish in his back yard because if he uses those said fish to win, then its going to get easier for LK to sway them away from PC. Make no mistake, PC is a friend of LK, but when it comes time for business, PC is all about USC and himself.

 

[aaronvol]

This was a huge difference in Bryce's recruitment and Scroggins. USC had a parent solidly in their corner pushing for them. Bryce's family didn't push much at all for him to go to Miami as his brother wasn't happy at the time and the coaching situation was in turmoil.

I hear what you are saying. But what isn't being mentioned is that the school right behind us in the BB saga was K-State. It was close to home and BB would surely get playing time and be close to home. We thought we were in a battle with Miami, but it was K-State. His family would have loved to see him play with a couple hours drive instead of coming to K-town. But I believe that the pressure of being in-state guy was a little too much for Bryce. He wanted to get out and spread his wings. Not sure what Jesse will do, but his recruitment is very similar in my opinion to what BB went through. BB was really wanted in-state, more than Jessee is, but he decided to bolt to UT. I do have a funny feeling that Jesse is coming to K-Town as well...last years offensive players will be a great sale for a kid who wants to play QB..."Scroggins hands off to BB"...can hear it now.

 

[EricberryFAN]

Until now, the Tennessee-California connection had been highlighted by the relocation of a couple of families.

First, in the early 1960s, the Clampett clan struck oil in a Tennessee swamp and moved en masse to Beverly Hills. The rest is television history.

Then, at the end of the 20th century, the Clausen clan of Southern California headed eastward one quarterback at a time. Casey Clausen was Tennessee's starting quarterback from 2000 through 2003. A year later, his brother, Rick, helped lead the Vols to the SEC championship game.

There are a couple of surprising facts about the latest potential Tennessee-California connection: (1) The California quarterback in question is Jesse Scroggins, not Jesse Clausen; (2) The competition for his signature consists of Southern California, Florida and UT.

USC and Florida each has won a pair of national championships this decade. UT has had two losing seasons in the last four years and hasn't won so much as a conference championship since 1998.

Such history suggests that UT fans shouldn't be devastated if Scroggins chooses USC or even Florida over the Vols. Instead, they should take heart from Scroggins' consideration.

With two national championships in the last three years, Florida is the hottest program in the country. With seven consecutive seasons of 11 or more wins, USC is the most dominant program of the decade.

Yet here's UT, coming off a 5-7 season and a coaching change, holding its own with the powers that be. That's a testament to the program's tradition and the fast work of first-year coach Lane Kiffin and his staff. Scroggins' interest in UT provides compelling evidence that the Vols eventually will sign a quality quarterback - though perhaps not as soon as they would like.

Quarterback Chase Rettig's decision to commit to Boston College on Monday was another quarterbacking setback for the Vols, but it doesn't change my opinion. If UT's new staff could sign Wichita's Bryce Brown, who was regarded by many as the No. 1 high school running back in the country last season, it can sign a big-time quarterback, too.

USC's advantages are obvious in the pursuit of Scroggins. It's not only one of the top programs in the country. It's basically Scroggins' hometown team. Moreoever, there's the quarterback track record under coach Pete Carroll to consider.

When Carroll offers a scholarship to a quarterback, an NFL scout is usually the next guy in line. A quarterback seemingly can prepare himself for the NFL by inhaling the air at a USC practice (see Matt Cassel for details).

UT's advantage: What quarterback wants to sit on the bench?

Mitch Mustain can address that. He was good enough to start at quarterback for Arkansas as a true freshman in 2006. But after transferring to USC, he will begin this season as a third-stringer behind sophomore Aaron Corp and true freshman Matt Barkley.

Corp is a former Parade All-American with more running ability than what you would expect from a Carroll quarterback. Barkley, who graduated early and excelled in USC's spring practice, received a scholarship offer from Kiffin - then a USC assistant coach - as a high school freshman.

That's what the quarterback competition will be like at USC. That's nothing like what the competition will be like at UT, which lacks both talent and depth at the position. Whatever quarterback UT signs in this recruiting class, he will jump to the top of the depth chart for 2010.

Scroggins surely will weigh that in making his decision. But regardless of what he decides, the California-Tennessee connection likely will become more prominent.

As a former USC offensive coordinator, Kiffin will employ the same pro-style system at UT. Also, in an era where spread offenses are becoming more and more prevalent, the Trojans and Vols are bucking a trend. So, in a way - competition aside - they're in this together.

And for a 5-7 program with a first-year head coach to be competing with USC for the nation's premier pro-style quarterbacks signifies fast progress.

Its on google, Sorry if already posted!

 

[jlovevols]

Good write up. It ain't over kids.

 

[The Dude]

I love how people's opinions become how things are.

So his dad making him do the crabwalk shows that he's controlling Jesse's recruitment? Wow, seemed to me like a good father who's driving his child. Guess not.

 

[Oldvol75]

For some reason I thought the Clampett's were from Arkansas?

 

[The Dude]

I always thought they were from TX considering it's tea made them millionaires, but I didn't see any hills the one time I visited.

 

[Knox9552]

If you were from Arkansas would you tell anybody...?

 

[Oldvol75]

Maybe they lived on the boarder and the food Jed was shootin' at was in Texas, one of lifes unsolved mysteries!

 

[SpringBokVol]

You obviously haven't been around here to long. Some will be suicidal. It never fails.

And Kiffin some how will be to blame. But Fulmer could have reeled him in k: